[Ferret]

AKA shock horror as Ferret makes positive post about Bon Jovi

I don't listen to the band much nowadays, but tonight while having a discussion with David on msn, I decided to stick on These Days.

**** all this Circle shit, and that faux-country-top-40 crap Lost Highway, this is how I like to think of Bon Jovi. I know it's as cliched as We Got It Goin' On on here to say this, but These Days is just all round great, lyrically, musically, production-wise, in terms of peformances...

I'm a pretty crap guitarist (old Chuck Berry licks FTW) but I know what's good and all the different layers of guitar tracks on These Days are excellent, and display what a versatile player Richie is. I particularly enjoy all the slide work and that electric sitar he appears to employ on a couple of tracks. Jon sounds impassioned and technically impressive, so next time I hear his rubbish nasal and low vocals on The Circle I'll be very dissapointed

Here's hoping for a good selection of songs from it this tour. I mean, I don't know a single other band who almost completely ignores their best album.

I know you've all heard it all before and none of you give a flying **** what I think, but let's all just have a fapfest over how awesome These Days is.

(I'm probably gonna regret this stupid post come the morning.)

[luceknight]

Originally Posted by Ferret

... but I know what's good and all the different layers of guitar tracks on These Days are excellent, and display what a versatile player Richie is. I particularly enjoy all the slide work and that electric sitar he appears to employ on a couple of tracks. Jon sounds impassioned and technically impressive (...)

Here's hoping for a good selection of songs from it this tour. I mean, I don't know a single other band who almost completely ignores their best album.

Couldn't agree more.
I'm a These Days lover...
and they're clearly not....

[Javier]

wwwooooooooooottttttttt!!!!!!!!!

[Kathleen]

Originally Posted by Javier

wwwooooooooooottttttttt!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Javier - my sentiments exactly

It's right up there as a candidate for my favorite album. The title track is one of the single best pieces of writing ever done by Jon and Richie. Musically it's gorgeous.

I can take exception to a cheesy line in Something for the Pain (hangman's noose please) but overall These Days as an album is head and shoulders above most of their other work, particularly the post 2000 work.

[Matrix15]

http://the-screen-door.blogspot.com/...eflection.html

Hits the nail on the head for me:

"The characters of “These Days” are searching for something…anything…to hold on to. There is a extreme anxiety in the verses (“No one wants to be themselves these days”) but ultimately, the band turns the tables to show that even at that moment of loss, there is something to hold onto (“Still there’s nothing to hold onto but these days”). It shifts between the sweet and sour in elegant fashion reminding the listener of the highs and lows of life. Bon Jovi does not camouflage the confusion and heartache but they also push you to seek out rays of light emitting from the heavens above. This is one of the band’s darkest, dreamiest and ultimately their most beautifully redeeming songs."

"If there was any great life lesson I took from the record it was that life is definitely not a bed of roses, but more times than not, its how we deal with the obstacles in our life. Positive actions speak louder and drown out our concerns, questions and doubts. It’s not easy to connect your thoughts to people, places and most importantly…emotions. These Days is a record that compels one to ponder, reflect and hopefully reconcile their demons and broken hearts head on. The album proves to be a true exorcism of sorts where one witnesses the harsh realities of life. It’s also a testament to one’s willpower and determination which allows the listener to emerge whole again at the end."

I genuinely can't exaggerate my affection for this album. It's the one album I can stop listening to for a while but when I feel low or just want to revisit it, I can stick TD on and the songs are as intense and beautiful as the first listening, it never gets old. Each time they draw genuine emotion, many albums can lose emotional connection after repeated listening but TD seems it get stronger every time I hear it.

I know it's old news to big up TD but I thought I'd heap my praise on this masterpiece like everyone else. It emotes so many feelings and is incredibly introspective, I associate it with many dark times in my life but yet it contains music that can give strength that no other BJ record can for me.

I think it's the shameless manner in which the issues in the album are confronted, it tells you that sometimes things don't always work out and using poetic lyrics, Jons raw vocal power and fantastic instrumetal work (soaring pianos, moody guitars and echoing drums) it confronts listeners with the harsh truth but it gives comfort that it isn't just you who faces lifes problems. I guess everyone has their associations with TD and you make of it what you will, but that's my 2 cents.

[San_jovi]

Ferret, I'm glad this was brought up, I was only thinking about it too recently. Im a self confessed KTF and TD lover.

I think the These Days album is a very very significant moment in the bands career. Right from Hey God to the end, theres a mix of moods and emotions I honestly have never heard on another album by anyone else. Musically, they explored such different harmonies, styles and sounds.

Take it's hard (Letting You Go). Soft synth backing, 2 voices in the mix, acoustic guitar, and simple percussion, with an occasional string section. A largely empty song by popular music standards, but the dynamic contrasts and song structure make it so dramatic. No way would they take such risks now.

Live: what can you say? So tight, and all at their peak. Takes some beating.

In 2010? I think they have lost sight slightly. To be honest its been dwindling since These Days with slight resurgence in early-mid 00's. 15 years ago I'd have paid £400 for 2 tickets to sit at the front of an arena to watch them play... I dunno now.

[jovigirloz]

Yes!! Great posts and feelings from everyone. I love TD and can listen to it a million times and never get sick of it. Also a big KTF lover too

To me both those albums came across as mature and grown up yet still had the overall feeling of Bon Jovi.

[Rob]

I don't get people who don't like These Days. I think it stands head and shoulders above any album they've done recently and it is probably my second favourate album behind KTF. Bon Jovi were awesome in the 90s. I wish I'd have been in to them and seen them live back then.

[jovigirloz]

Originally Posted by Rob

I don't get people who don't like These Days. I think it stands head and shoulders above any album they've done recently and it is probably my second favourate album behind KTF. Bon Jovi were awesome in the 90s. I wish I'd have been in to them and seen them live back then.

Thats why I think alot (well I do) get disappointed with the likes of LH, Crush etc.
When I first heard TD and KTF (after the craziness of the 80's with SWW and NJ) i felt like I had opened up a treasure box. From the first listen I just wanted to keep playing it over and over and really "felt" the album. Geeze, I still regularly get goosebumps when I play those albums.

Probably sounds a bit corny and soppy, but to me that is what Bon Jovi will always be about. Of course I hope that one day they will release an album that makes me feel like that again, but I am seriously starting to doubt it.

[sammy645]

These Days is amazing! But for me, I think keep The Faith is the best jovi release. Its just never grows old for me.